“The Cooling Effects of Vertical Greenery,” “the Genetics of Melanoma” and “Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease” were just three science research posters presented by Regeneron STEM scholars at the inaugural Yonkers Partners in Education/Regeneron STEM
Symposium on May 29.
The evening program was kicked off by YPIE Regeneron STEM Scholars Manager Jake
Schofi eld, who thanked Regeneron, a leading biotechnology company based in Tarrytown, for its sponsorship and explained the unique science research program, including the dedication it takes for students to participate in such a demanding program after school in addition to its other responsibilities.
YPIE Executive Director Wendy Nadel acknowledged the posters around the room and marveled at the students’ progress since they were accepted into the prestigious program last year. “You have the opportunity to create new knowledge and that’s what you’re doing here tonight,” said Sam Wallis, YPIE chief program officer, to students.
Last Spring, with support from Regeneron, YPIE began the YPIE Regeneron STEM Institute,
a four-year science research initiative enabling academically ambitious, low-income students to participate in original science research, similar to their peers in more affluent school districts.
Working alongside mentors from STEM fields, Regeneron STEM scholars are conducting
research on a topic of their choice with the ultimate goal being participation in regional and
national science competitions. Potoula Gjidija, Regeneron’s associate director of corporate citizenship, called the inaugural symposium “a celebration of the YPIE/Regeneron shared mission to inspire young minds and advance the future of
science.”
Regeneron is dedicated to inventing lifetransforming medicines by investing in scientific
research and technology. Before introducing the two featured student speakers, Gjidija explained the dearth of science research opportunities in the Yonkers Public Schools and the hope that the YPIE program can be a model for other low-income communities in the region and throughout the country.
All 14 YPIE Regeneron STEM Scholars competed for the first time June 3 at the seventh
annual Science Fair at Westlake High School, a competitive event for 16 high schools in Westchester County. Two of the scholars won awards, out of nearly 400 students who competed, coming from 16 other school districts in Westchester.
It was so inspiring to see our Yonkers students competing at the same level as students
from established research programs with the same degree of confidence and poise. It was a
very empowering experience for all of the students, and every single one of them left the event excited and inspired to work even harder on their projects.
First, second and third place awards were given in each of the 15 categories of the fair.
Citlalli Rojas won third place in the category of environmental science for her project on the
human factors affecting the American Eel migration right here in the recently day-lighted Saw
Mill River, which runs right through the heart of Yonkers. This summer she will be continuing to collect data on eels, and will be performing water quality assessments at various points along the Hudson River in order to compare levels of pollutants to this year’s eel migration numbers.
Aishe Samadder won third place in her category of medicine and health for her project on
spinal cord regeneration in zebra fish. There were about 80 participants in this extremely competitive category. This year, Aishe said she hopes to be working in a laboratory environment, in order to get hands-on experience doing the kind of research
she has been reading and learning about all year.
To find out more about the YPIE Regeneron STEM Scholars Program, and how you can become a mentor or make a donation, contact Wendy Nadel at wrnadel@ypie.org
